Winners of the 66th Annual Saginaw District Golf Tournament

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Robert E Martin

Robert E Martin

Open Division winner Mike Wengikowski

Legends Division winner Steve Hockey

Senior Division winner Dan Hughes

The Saginaw District Golf Association presented the 66thAnnual Saginaw District Golf Tournament this past weekend on June 26, 27, and 28 at The Fortress in Frankenmuth - the first time the event has been played at The Fortress since 1998.

Established back in 1955 to determine the best golfers in Saginaw County, this year’s winner of the 54-hole tournament consisted of Mike Wengikowski on Saginaw Country Club who nailed first place honors in the Open Division shooting 72-75-72 and coming in at 3-over par. Second place was Matt Pumford; and third place honors went to Benjamin Balen, both from The Sawmill.

Winners of ‘The Legends Division’ were Steve Yockey in first place, also from Saginaw Country Club, shooting 8 over par; Terry Franz of Apple Mountain, in second place; and Mark Sikorski, also of Apple Mountain in third place.

Winner of ‘The Senior Division’ was Dan Hughes.

Since the initial tournament, thirty-three (34) different players have earned the distinction of District Champion. The District Championship is awarded to the winner of the Open Division, and receives the Joe Hart trophy. Bill Strong Sr. was the first in a long line of talented players to be crowned District Champion. Ron Stelter is the dean of participants, having played in every District Tournament from its inception in 1955 through 2012.

In the years from 1956 to 1979, Ron Stelter and Stan Murphy owned the District, accounting for wins in 15 of the 24 Tournaments. Ron's 10 victories likely will stand as a record for many years to come. Stan Murphy and Matt Pumford both have 5 Hart Trophies - tied for second on the list of multiple champions. Danny Hughes is third all-time with 4 victories. Craig Barber has 3 followed by Mike Anderson, Tom Doozan, Terry Franz, Mike Humphrey, Nick Pumford and Walt Van Sickle as two time winners.

Played from 1994 through 2013, the Senior Division has seen 10 different champions. The Senior Championship trophy honors founding District chairman Fred Martin, Jr. Dave Bewley, Mike Humphrey, Alan Pumford, and Danny Hughes have each won three Senior titles. Mike Skrocki and Mike Stelter have each won twice.

Changes came again in 2014. The Legends Division was introduced as a separate division for players 50 years of age and older. The Legends Champion trophy fittingly honors district legend Ron Stelter. The first Legends Division champion was Roger Alverson.

As the Legends Division was introduced, the Senior Division was eliminated, but not the Senior Champion. The Senior Champion is now awarded to the low scoring player 50 years of age or older who plays in the Open Division. Last year’s winners included Mark Sikorksk in the Legends Division; Adam Jacobs in the Open Division; and Dan Hughes in the Senior Championship.

In 2020 the SDGA became a 501(c)(3) organization and began some new initiatives to grow the game of golf.

New this year is a partnership with The First Tee of Eastern Michigan, who will receive a portion of the proceeds from the Saginaw District Golf Tournament; and a new “Future Stars” sponsorship to offer discounted entry fees for High School players. Beginning in 2020 sponsor and tournament proceeds will allow the SDGA to donate to these entities to help introduce youth to the game of golf and its inherent values.

Here's the scoring results for the Top 10 Golfers in Each Division:

Saginaw District Golf Tournament • Jun 26 - Jun 28, 2020

Open Division Media Results

1 Mike Wenglikowski Saginaw CC 72-75-72--219 +3

2 Matt Pumford Sawmill 77-71-74--222 +6

3 Benjamin Balen Sawmill 71-72-80--223 +7

4 Adam Jacobs Sawmill 75-74-76--225 +9

5 Dan Warner Timbers 80-74-72--226 +10

6 Bruce Eccleton Pleasant View 75-74-80--229 +13

7 Gunnar Stein Unaffiliated 75-79-76--230 +14

8 Nick Krattiger Saginaw CC 77-75-79--231 +15

9 Dan Hughes Apple Mountain 76-79-78--233 +17